Verlenging naturalisatietermijnen

Reactie

Vraag1

Hello,

I am a highly skilled migrant who has been living in the Netherlands for over six years. I completed my Master’s degree here as well. I am not sure how much weight my comments will carry, but I would like to share my thoughts on the government’s plan to extend the naturalisation period from five years to ten years.

While I understand and appreciate the intent behind this proposal, I strongly believe that international students who have studied in the Netherlands should be exempted from this rule. Here are my reasons:
1. Educational integration:
International students who graduate from Dutch universities or colleges are, in many ways, already locally integrated. They spend several years immersed in the Dutch education system and culture, unlike immigrants who move directly to the Netherlands for work.
2. Tax contribution and ties to the Netherlands:
Highly skilled migrants (HSM) entering the Netherlands for work often benefit from the 30% tax ruling, meaning they contribute relatively lower taxes compared to those who work here after completing their studies. Moreover, when applying for the 30% ruling, HSM visa holders must declare strong ties to their home country — a commitment that seems inconsistent with seeking Dutch citizenship later on.
3. Societal integration:
International graduates who stay and work in the Netherlands are required to obtain a Dutch driver’s license through the local process, which further integrates them into Dutch society. In contrast, many incoming professionals can simply exchange their foreign driver’s licenses without undergoing the same process.

For these reasons, I sincerely believe that international students who have completed their studies in the Netherlands should be exempted from the proposed extension, which should instead apply to other categories of immigrants.

Thank you for considering my perspective.